HD: CI segments

[King Cucaracha 0]

Much like last week, at the catering table is Megan Skye. Infact, much like any week. Just like last week Megan is filling up on cups of coffee and looking generally indifferent to it. Just like last week, she's interrupted in her menial task. But this week it's Todd Cortez who's spotted her and veered off from his path in order to pass by inconspicuously.

CORTEZ
On another coffee run?

MEGAN
Why, did you want something?

CORTEZ
You're better than this. You know that.

Megan scowls at Todd.

MEGAN
Don't start with me Todd. Last thing person I need blowing smoke up my ass is you, especially when it comes to my managerial ability. You didn't seem so concerned with that when I was supposed to be your manager way back when. So, save it.

CORTEZ
That's what I miss about you most, that sunny exterior.

MEGAN
What do you really want Todd?

CORTEZ
What do you mean by that?

MEGAN
James told me something the other day. Something interesting.

CORTEZ
Let me guess... was it about Landon?

Not amused, Megan folds her arms and stares at Todd. He

MEGAN
Look, I don't know what your deal is. I don't know if James is parranoid, or if he's right to be. Just wisen up already, okay Todd? Do the right thing and listen to Landon, everything will be so much easier that way. You're the US Champion now. Surely that tells you something? You've got talent. Don't waste it on some pointless grudge. James is already campaigning to get that belt off of you, keep it up and you won't be champion for much longer.

Looking interested at what he's just heard, the last part anyway, Todd contemplates.

CORTEZ
That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks.

Todd walks off, leaving Megan to wonder what he meant by that.

[King Cucaracha 0]

Into the Cucaracha Internacional locker room we go, tracking US Champion Todd Cortez's entry. And inside we find Nathaniel Black, bucking the OAOAST employment trend, proving his literacy by reading a book about the Kray twins. Which is shorthand for 'he's English'. Cortez walks around the seat Black's lounged in, setting down his US Title while eyeing the Brit.

CORTEZ
Another easy night, huh?

Barely acknowledging his fellow CI member, Black scowls and turns the page.

CORTEZ
Don't worry, I know how you feel.

BLACK
Wha's that supposed to mean?

CORTEZ
You're bottom of the ladder now.

Down goes the book. Probably not the best person to be interrupting, a guy reading a book about notorious gangsters.

BLACK
An' 'ow do you figure that, eh?

CORTEZ
Weren't you out there once, going toe to toe with Zack Malibu, giving him the fight of his life? The guy who's now holding the World Title? That was seven months ago. And what have you done since then exactly? You took the top guy in the company to his limit. That should have opened doors for you. Gave you opportunities. How many opportunites have you had this year? Looks like you've put a foot wrong somewhere. Question is, when?

BLACK
...

CORTEZ
Anyway, enjoy your book.

Todd strolls past Black and back out of the room, smirking slightly. The Brit goes back to his book, only to stop in mid-reach in thought.

[King Cucaracha 0]

We're back inside the Cucaracha Internacional locker room, which is a little more densely populated than it was last time. Still in his chair like a grumpy father is Nathaniel Black, still reading the book he had earlier, leading us surely to wonder if this book is somehow buying advertising time to have been seen on camera twice. Also in the room is Landon Maddix, looking slightly irritated as well. The source of their collective irritation is James Blonde, whining like a little boy who's been told he's not getting the toy he wants for Christmas after all. My advice- a good, firm slap. Gotta teach these kids the way of the world early!

BLONDE
But you said you'd think about it!

MADDIX
I did.

BLONDE
And it's STILL a no?

MADDIX
Afraid so. Why can't you just go after the Heartland Title, or the World Title, or the... uh... is the X-Division Title still about? What's the one where you could win it and then rename it whatever you want? ...can't you just be satisfied with the 6-Man Title?

BLONDE
That's not the point though.

BLACK
(looks up from his book)
I swear, this kid's workin' my last nerve.

MADDIX
I'm dealing with it honey... uh, uhm, Nathaniel!

Taking the parentage thing a bit too seriously unconsciously, Landon himself seems surprised at the slip of the tongue. Not as surprised as Nathaniel though. Blonde sighs, getting ready to protest again. Not wanting to hear anymore Landon holds a hand up to stop him.

MADDIX
Look, James, I keep telling you, it's not in our best interests to be having you and Todd fight. He's in now. That's the end of it.

Blonde bites his lip. He knows he probably shouldn't press it. But he's got a trump card.

BLONDE
What if I told you it [i]was[/i] in our best interests?

MADDIX
Well, I'd probably call your bluff and demand to hear your idea out of morbid curiousity.

BLONDE
In that case, prepare to be morbid, I guess.

BLACK
Already way ahead of you.

BLONDE
Look at it in a different way. Think about this... it's AngleMania, biggest show of the year. United States Title on the line. Todd Cortez defending for Cucaracha Internacional, steps in the ring with some random OAOAST wrestler with nothing better to do with his time. Random wrestler pins Todd, wins title, Cucaracha Internacional lose on the big stage. [i]Or[/i], Todd Cortez takes on fellow Cucaracha Internacional member. The spotlight shines on us and us alone. We exhibit out competitive ability to the world. Title stays in with us, Cucaracha Internacional win on the big stage. What's going to grab people's attention in a way we want to grab it, Todd Cortez versus opponent, or Cucaracha Internacional versus Cucaracha Internacional? Why should only one of us get the glory?

Seeming to be thinking about it Landon scratches his chin.

MADDIX
Okay. You might just have a point. (looks over James' shoulder) What do you think?

CORTEZ
Sounds good to me.

Eyes widening James whips around, only now realising that the US Champion has walked in mid-speech and caught him red-handed. He laughs nervously as Cortez steps around next to Landon.

MADDIX
So you'd be okay with this Todd? And, I stress, as a fair and friendly competition only.

CORTEZ
What can I say, James really sold it to me. Cucaracha Internacional's best going at it.

MADDIX
Well, second best.

CORTEZ
Oh, of course. Second best and third best. Your two top prospects. And AngleMania will sort out pecking order. What better way of representing Cucaracha Internacional than that?

BLONDE
(relaxing)
Yeah... exactly.

MADDIX
Okay then, that's that settled. We'll get contracts drawn up and...

Suddenly, having been peering at all of this from other the top of his book, Nathaniel Black has had enough and stands up, making enough of a scene to get everybody's attention. Only Todd doesn't look surprised.

BLACK
'Ang on a minute! Since when did we bloody decide that James is 'igher up the rankings than I am!? Why ain't I gettin' a mention 'ere?

BLONDE
Not now, eh Nat?

BLACK
Pipe down shortarse! You want Cucaracha Inner'nacional bein' represented, why not me an' Cortez?

CORTEZ
He's got a point too, Landon.

MADDIX
In that case, I guess the choice is up to you Todd.

Seeing his plans crumbling again Blonde looks on helplessly.

CORTEZ
Or, you know what we COULD do...

MADDIX
What's that?

CORTEZ
Well, how about we let them settle it between the two of them.

BLONDE
[size=1]No...[/size]

CORTEZ
Let them fight it out. Winner stays on to wrestle me at AngleMania. Can't say any fairer than that.

Much to Blonde's horror, Landon seems to be thinking it over.

MADDIX
Nat? You okay with that?

BLACK
Fine by me.

MADDIX
James?

BLONDE
Well I dunno see...

MADDIX
We'll go with that. The leader has spoken! All I need now is some sort of balcony to frequent as I watch my minions fight! We'll work on that. Where's Megan when you need her?

CORTEZ
Probably try catering.

Nodding in agreement Landon leaves in search of Megan, Todd following and brushing close past Blonde to the point that it's almost a shoulder barge. Staring dead ahead Blonde looks shell-shocked. By the time he looks up, Black is once again nose-deep in his book. And Blonde just holds his hand to his head, experiencing a sudden migraine.